In the Lower Engadine and Samnaun Valley

On Wednesday we had the best weather of the week, and the plan was a trip to the Lower Engadine (our vacation apartment was in the Upper Engadine) near the Austrian border for an easy hike between two very picturesque mountain villages, and then a bus ride through the Inn Ravine across the border, then back into a very remote valley at the end of which is the village of Samnaun where you can buy duty-free goods...

Our 9-km hike was super, the villages Vnà and Tschlin two of the cutest I've seen, and known in Switzerland as some of the quietest villages. The village of Tschlin has a public phone smack dab in the center of the village, and it is said the village is so quiet, you can hear the phone ring from all parts of the village. (Earlier this year Tourism Engadine ran a contest related to this phone... the video is quite cute and worth watching: www.dorftelefon.ch )

As for the Dutyfree village called Samnaun, we went to buy Amaretto and Bailey's, but other than that it lacked charm, just one shop after another selling cigarettes, watches, perfume, liquor and name-brand clothing.... and every second building was a restaurant. The trip there was a hoot, though: a steep winding road with 180degree tunnels, maximum vehicle length was 10 meters, or you couldn't get through the tunnel. One lane only. If the bus was in the tunnel when you got there, you'd have to back out....

Early morning in Upper Engadine (Zernez) on our way East to the Lower Engadine (in the sunny valley in the back).

Town of Lavin in Lower Engadine.

Castle in Ardez, Lower Engadine.

Castle Tarasp near Scuol, in the Lower Engadine.

Early morning light on the mountains has a special feel to it.

Interesting building in the town of Scuol.

 

A bus ride takes us up the mountain to the starting point of our hike, the little village of Vnà.

The little village of Vnà

In the little village of Vnà in Lower Engadine, Switzerland.

In the little village of Vnà in Lower Engadine, Switzerland.

In the little village of Vnà in Lower Engadine, Switzerland.

On the 9 km hike from Vnà to Tschlin.

On the 9 km hike from Vnà to Tschlin.

On the 9 km hike from Vnà to Tschlin.

On the 9 km hike from Vnà to Tschlin.

Arriving in Tschlin, the first place we had a look at was this old Late Gothic Church (San Plasch) built in 1515 at the East side of the Village.

Church of San Plasch in Tschlin, built in 1515 shortly before the Reformation.

East Side of Tschlin

Little village of Tschlin, Switzerland.

Most of the homes also have these fabulous arched doorways and carved door.

Love, love, love all the houses in the village of Tschlin.

Love, love, love all the houses in the village of Tschlin.

Love, love, love all the houses in the village of Tschlin.

Our Lunch at the Restaurant Macun (which means "Ibex" in Romansch) consisted of local specialties made with potatoes, bacon and parmesan. My meal, which was like gnocchis, was called Bizoccals.

More unique homes in Tschlin.

View down into the Lower Engadine Valley (that is the river Inn which flows from here to Austria).

From Tschlin we took a bus back down into the valley and followed the Inn River into Austria, then back into the remote Samnaun Valley. The town of Samnaun attracts tourists because of its dutyfree goods, and even though most of the buildings are built in the style of the houses in this area, somehow it just lacked charm.

On the way back home we pass the Tarasp Castle again, this time in evening light.